Taken

Reader's Review of the Book: Taken

In the year 2035, the kidnapping of rich children is quite common and the kids are actually taught how to act in that situation. When the protection surrounding thirteen year-old Charity Meyers, the daughter of a well known and well respected doctor, is torn apart, she is taken from her high-security home in the most exclusive neighborhood in America, called the Highlands. All she can do is hope her parents turn over the ransom demanded by the kidnappers and follow their instructions as best as she can, but when an unexpected turn hits the seemingly standard 24-hour operation, Charity finds that the story behind this kidnapping goes much deeper than she ever would have suspected, and she is forced to make a decision that will forever alter her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all of its twists and turns. I would recommend it to people of all ages. - MBetfort

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Ever since her dad invented a super-effective bronzing treatment, Charity's been living the life of the coddled rich, in a guarded estate of a select 120 homes, with servants to see to all of her family's needs. But being rich has its downsides, too -- she can rarely go beyond the walls of the estate, her father and ex-stepmother are too busy with their own lives to concern themselves with hers, and being a rich kid makes her the target of the growing kidnapping industry.

When Charity finds herself taken by mysterious men in an ambulance, she decides to follow the rules to the letter to ensure that she'll be delivered safely home as soon as the ransom is paid. But the longer she spends with the kidnappers, the more clear it becomes that their plans are more complicated than she could have imagined.

TAKEN puts readers right inside Charity's head, making every moment of the kidnapping as vivid as if they were experiencing it themselves. Charity's reactions are believable and poignant. With every frightening development and shocking twist, readers will find themselves right there with her, quickly turning the pages to learn what will happen next. Charity herself is a strong heroine, practical, scared, yet not afraid to put up a fight when she has to.

Readers may have a hard time relating to the world the novel portrays and the isolation in which Charity now lives with her family's newfound wealth. The society seems very strongly divided between the rich and poor, with little room in between. Nonetheless, it provides a pointed commentary on many of the advantages the privileged in today's world take for granted, and the struggles of those who do not have those advantages. TAKEN is sure to provoke thoughtful discussion among its readers.

For both its tense and unpredictable story and its social commentary, TAKEN is a great read. Be forewarned -- with so many twists, at least one is guaranteed to take you completely (and pleasantly) by surprise!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Good Teen Book

Bought this book for my daughter whom seems to love it. She states it has a good story etc... Therefore, do recommend reading just for fun and/or for rereading.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Taken Enthusiastically

Set in three decades into the future, this book shows a ripe new industry: kidnapping. When one rich girl, Charity, is taken by kidnappers for her currency (or money), you experience 2036 when kids are taught how to prepare themselves if they are unlucky enough to be taken, and how what should have been a usual 24 hour holding process turns radically different in Charity's kidnapping case. Bloor does a great job at writing out the story from Charity's point of view and the characters all fit perfectly with each other in the story and the many plot twists.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great Boo! k Great Book!

I read this book for school and dont regret it! Has great storyline and plot!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

meh

This book wasnt to interesting. It has a boring main character and its full of expected twists. I only read it because it takes place where I live. Read something else instead of this book.i

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

........

This book is really boring. I read the summary thing and it sounded really interesting but its not. Its very slow and dosent have any big turns or exiting events. I mean it was prety good and all but not what i was expecting. I dont think it was worth getting overly exited about:/

Im a big book reader and have read many great reads and this is not one of them

When i saw this i thought wow this should be interesting and keep me guessing but once i started reading thats not what i got at all the main character is kidnapped which is a major indrestry at the time instead of trying to exscape and get some action in the story she decides to go into her head and remember the days before this which was christmas break in exact detail to stop hersself fromm freaking out in the kidnappers ambulence. So basically the stories about a kids christmas break. A REAL LETDOWN SUCH A GOOD IDEA ITS SAD!!!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome book

I love this book. It is so cool and mysterious. And ha lots of suspense. But if a little kid were to read it, it wouldn't be very appropriate.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not worth it

Could not get hooked on the book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

very poor

i thought it would be soo good a real disappontment

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Poorly written

Not very exciting at all. The synopsis made it seem much more entertainig and edgy than it actually was. Very disappointing.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Alright

I just couldn't get into this book. The concept was interesting, and the writing is fine, but the story...I just couldn't stay focused on it. Not one of the better books I've read.

The best book I've read

I thought that this book was one of the most outstanding books I have ever read. It is very surprising who took her and why.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book for middle school

Loved the twists and turns in the plot. As a remedial reading teacher I highly recommend this book to all of my students. Loved the line that referred to skin color as only 4 layers deep.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A twisted plot keeps you guessing to the end

I had recently viewed this book on this website and decided to try it. Bloor's writing captured my interest, and the plot held many suprises. A great novel, but I too feel something is off. the transition from present to flashback was imaginative, but poorly written. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

You can predict what's going to happen next but it's always different!! It is kind of sad so get Kleenex out!!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not all it was hyped up to be

The book jacket definitely made it seem like something better. I like Edward Bloor so i decided to give it a try, but it was a little disappointing. Something was just off about this book, i couldn't quite say what, though. It was just an okay book.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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